Making the Grade: PNCLL Division I

NORTH

Simon Fraser University : 2014 (11 – 6)/(4 – 0)

A | Coach Brent Hoskins and staff whipped up a solid 2014 schedule for the Clan. Not a week goes by without a challenge, be it a nationally ranked opponent or a key out of conference matchup. The Burnaby boys only host five home games. The schedule is not as tough a schedule as last year, but it’s still a quality one. We expect them to finish on top of the division if they can keep riding on momentum. This dropped a tough one to BYU by one, but crushed Boise State the following afternoon. We expect big things once the rust is knocked off.

University of Washington : 2013 (5 – 9)/(3 – 1)

Photo Credit: HuskyLax.com

B+ | For the Huskies, it was a tough time in California to start season dropping 2 in the Pac-12 Shootout. They see a ton of road threat near end of season which will be challenging. A six game road stretch with three divisional games to end the season and four tough divisional games at home in the middle of season will prove to challenge UW. Could they jump SFU this season? This weekend may provide that answer.

University of Montana : 2013 (6 – 8)/(2 – 2)

B | The Griz did not shy away from taking on a solid mix of competition. They see a huge five game road stretch to start the season and another four game road stretch at the end of it. The majority of divisional games at end of season could be advantageous, especially since they’re at home. Let’s see what Coach Sargent has up his sleeve for 2014. Missoula, we’ve got our eyes on you!

University of Idaho : 2013 (4 – 10)/(1 – 3)

B | Idaho! Idaho! Go-Go-Go! The University of Idaho Vandals get better and better almost every year. And this year, under a new head coach and an experienced unit of upperclassmen, they have some serious potential to do some damage in the PNCLL. Here’s the thing, though, the Vandals don’t have a single home game in March. To make matters more challenging, the biggest road game of the season comes March 7th, just three weeks from now, when the Vandals get a shot at taking down the Simon Fraser Clan. Here’s to another hat trick from LAS Intern Colton Raichl!

Washington State University : 2013 (2 – 10)/(0 – 4)

C | Unfortunately we don’t see Wazzu jumping any places this season. They will be starting the season with a five game road stretch against tough competition. Divisional games being evenly spread out will help with momentum swings, but only one home game in the first two months of play? Ouch! We do expect to see them win at least one conference game this season, we just have trouble guessing which one.

SOUTH

University of Oregon : 2013 (12 – 6)/(3 – 0)

A+ | It’s awesome to see teams like Oregon taking on really tough schedules. One perk is having the divisional games spread out evenly but the four game road stretch at beginning of season will see some very tough competition. The Ducks never shy away when it comes to tough out of conference games. We’ll see if Oregon will remain at the top of the division when it comes down to their final game against OSU.

Oregon State University : 2013 (13 – 4)/(2 – 1)

Photo Credit: Robert White

A | Another season featuring a tough mix of competition for the Beavers. Not a lot of road threat seems promising for the Beavers push for first place, they play only 5 games out of state. We expect to see them finish near the top of the conference. The game against Simon Fraser in the middle of the season will give us a clearer picture of where they’ll finish overall. Expect big things from OSU this season, it could be the year to hop Oregon.

Boise State University : 2013 (6 – 8)/(1 – 2)

B | The Broncos are taking on tough competition this season, but it comes without much road threat. They see only six out of state games, two are on the trip to Oregon and two in California. Divisional games spread out evenly can help swing momentum in their favor. Maybe they’ll finish over .500 this season. BSU has been looking better and better each year, it has to be tough trying to gain traction against teams like U of O or OSU. The Broncos gave the Cougars a good game, and we’re excited to see how they do the in-conference this year. Hopefully they’ve got their sights set on the month of April…win out and things are going to be looking mighty pretty come May.

Portland State University : 2013 (2 – 12)/(0 – 3)

Photo Credit: Shelley Toler Photography

C | For being pretty lengthy, it’s a decent schedule but there’s not much outside of division games. Little to no road threat with only the out of state games. We can tell they are definitely looking to improve their schedule, but we expect another season at the bottom of the barrel. At the end of the day, it’s sixteen games, many of which are against Division I competition. It’s awesome to see Portland State racking up experience.